Biography of Deon Stander: Founder and CEO of Avery Dennison -Entrepreneur
Story of Deon Stander:
Early Life and Education
Deon Stander’s academic foundation began in South Africa, where he earned a
Bachelor of Commerce degree in Business from the University of Port Elizabeth
(1987–1989). He later pursued an MBA at Lancaster University in the UK
(2000–2001), equipping himself with a strong understanding of business strategy
and global management, which would prove vital throughout his career.
Entry into the Corporate World and Paxar Years
Before joining Avery Dennison, Deon built his professional experience at Paxar
Corporation, a leader in identification solutions. While details of his exact
roles at Paxar are limited, his early leadership exposure in global markets set
the stage for his next career leap. His time there laid a solid operational and
market-facing foundation.
Joining Avery Dennison
In 2007, Deon joined Avery Dennison following the company’s acquisition of
Paxar. He took on the role of General Manager for the UK, Nordic, and South
Africa regions. This marked the beginning of a dynamic career at Avery
Dennison, where he quickly became known for his ability to manage complex
regional operations with cultural sensitivity and business clarity.
Biography of Deon Stander: Founder and CEO of Avery Dennison -Entrepreneur #startup#age#net worth#investor#Avery Dennison story#shark tank#Deon Stander
Building Global Expertise in RBIS
From 2005 to 2014, Deon held several senior leadership roles across Avery
Dennison’s Retail Branding and Information Solutions (RBIS) division. Notably,
he served as Vice President and General Manager of Global Commercial and
Innovation for RBIS between 2013 and 2014. During this time, he helped advance
innovation in product labeling and digital identification, aligning with the
industry’s growing demand for customization and technology.
Leading the Solutions Group
Between 2015 and 2022, Deon led the Solutions Group (formerly RBIS) as Vice
President and General Manager. Under his guidance, this division expanded its
influence in providing digital ID, supply chain, and branding solutions. His
leadership during this period helped Avery Dennison pivot toward more
technology-driven, sustainable, and customer-focused services.
Chief Operating Officer Role
On March 1, 2022, Deon was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Avery
Dennison. In this position, he oversaw the company’s global operations and
coordinated the efforts of various business leaders and departments. His role
as COO served as a strategic transition, preparing him for the top job with an
in-depth understanding of company-wide performance.
Becoming CEO of Avery Dennison (September 2023–Present)
Deon was officially appointed CEO of Avery Dennison on September 1, 2023. His
transition was part of a well-planned succession strategy aimed at ensuring
continuity and stability for investors, customers, and employees. With decades
of experience within the company, he stepped into the role ready to guide Avery
Dennison into its next phase of innovation and growth.
The CEO’s First-Year Focus
In his first year as CEO, Deon focused on four key areas.
First, he reassessed the company’s strategy to ensure it aligned with major
trends like digitalization, sustainability, and customization. He wanted to be
certain that Avery Dennison’s roadmap remained relevant in a fast-changing
global landscape.
Strengthening Stakeholder Relationships
Another major focus for Deon was deepening engagement with a range of
stakeholders—from investors and board members to customers and internal teams.
Recognizing the unique expectations placed on a CEO, he worked to balance
transparency, strategic clarity, and relationship-building across all levels of
the organization.
Preparing for the Future and Repositioning the Brand
Lastly, Deon emphasized building organizational capability and preparing the
company for a digitized and sustainable future. This involved upskilling teams
and refining Avery Dennison’s value proposition to better express innovation to
customers. A part of this journey included the launch of the new brand
platform: Avery Dennison: Making Possible, which encapsulates the
company’s ambition and outlook for the next five years.
Timeline Summary:
- 1987–1989:
B.Comm in Business, University of Port Elizabeth
- 2000–2001:
MBA, Lancaster University
- 2007:
Joins Avery Dennison via Paxar acquisition as General Manager, UK, Nordic
& South Africa
- 2005–2014:
Holds senior leadership roles in RBIS, including VP & GM of Global
Commercial and Innovation
- 2015–2022:
VP & GM, Solutions Group
- March
1, 2022: Appointed Chief Operating Officer, Avery Dennison
- September
1, 2023: Becomes President and CEO of Avery Dennison
